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Some nutrition content claims may be potentially misleading for consumers. The table below is a guide to some of the common nutrition claims, helping you to become familiar with the terms used and their interpretation.

CLAIM

CRITERIA

Low (in) fat

3 g per 100 g (solid food) or 1.5g per 100 ml (liquid food).

Reduced (in) fat

75% of total fat content of same quantity of reference food. That is, the minimum % reduction must be 25%.

Fat free

Prohibited

% fat free

3 g per 100 g (solid food) or 1.5 g per 100 ml (liquid food).The actual total fat content of the food must be declared in conjunction with the claim.

Low calorie / low joule / low energy

The average energy content of the food is 170 kJ per 100 g (solid or semi-solid foods) or 80 kJ per 100 ml (beverages or other liquid foods).

Reduced calorie / reduced joule / reduced energy

75% of energy content of same quantity of reference food.

Calorie free

Prohibited

Diet

The food must meet the conditions for ‘low joule’ claims. That is, the average energy content of the food is 170 kJ per 100 g (solid or semi-solid foods) or 80 kJ per 100 ml (beverages or other liquid foods).

Light or lite

The characteristic that makes the food ‘light’ or ‘lite’ must relate to the nutrient or energy content of the food, and must be stated on the label in conjunction with the claim.To be ‘light’ or ‘lite’, the food must comply with the conditions associated with the ‘very low’, ‘low’ or ‘reduced’ claim (in relation to that characteristic).